Thank you for contacting me about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It is good to hear from you, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, the Obama Administration launched the DACA initiative in 2012 to enable children without lawful immigrant status to be granted a deferral from potential deportation. DACA does not confer lawful immigration status, but provided that individuals could apply to receive work authorization upon meeting certain criteria. To qualify for DACA, such individuals must have entered the United States before the age of 16 on or before January 1, 2010.

According to the Constitution, Congress makes laws and the Executive Branch must enforce them. This is the basic framework of our government. In September 2011, President Obama said "...I think there's been a great disservice done to the cause of getting the DREAM Act passed and getting comprehensive immigration passed by perpetrating the notion that somehow, by myself, I can go and do these things. It's just not true...We live in a democracy. You have to pass bill through the legislature, and then I can sign it." In June 2012, President Obama's actions in announcing DACA were inconsistent with what he said less than a year earlier. His actions were unconstitutional and detrimental to theAmerican tradition of respect for the rule of law.

The Trump Administration's action to end this unconstitutional program restores the rule of law and allows Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority. Immigration reform begins with securing our borders and establishing a functioning entry and exit system. We can then begin solving the challenges of our broken immigration system, including addressing the status of minor children who were brought into the country illegally through no fault of their own.

Legal immigration has contributed greatly to the growth of our country.Putting in place well-reasoned, responsible, constitutional immigration reform will play a critical role in addressing the needs of a 21st century economy. As the debate on immigration reform continues, I appreciate your feedback and will be certain to keep your views in mind.

It is an honor to represent you and Pennsylvania's Twelfth District in Congress. To stay in touch with what is happening in Congress, you can follow me on Twitter @KeithRothfusor find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KeithRothfus.

About Me

Sherry -ECLECTIC POETRY,LIBERAL POLITICS and other things, from an eclectic little woman. published in,hip poetry 2012, the individualist newsletter, online at, the amateur poetry journal, alchemy lit. mag, the writer's hood and caught in the net. a member of the international PK poetry kit, included in the anthology project, dec. 2004 and in national poetry day projects, four volts. uk. pk#10 and the picolata review.national poetry dayu.k. 08. former list administrator for the PK list.featured poet june'07#20.member pgh women's blogging society. contributing writer-CITIZEN JOURNALIST EXCHANGE worldwidehippies.com